PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (ILO News) - On 18 January 2023, The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea passed a resolution by an absolute majority vote for the ratification of three ILO Conventions; Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) and the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81).

ILO Conventions cover a wide area of social and labour issues including basic human rights, minimum wages, industrial relations, employment policy, social dialogue, social security and other issues.

Addressing the importance of the C190 - Violence and Harassment Convention, the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea,  Hon. John Rosso said  "As the minister responsible for labour and industrial relations matters in the country, I take this stand to condemn all forms of violence and harrassment and this includes gender-based violence at the workplace. There should be no room for any acts of violence and harassment in our workplaces. Violence and harassment in the world of work deprives people of their dignity, is incompatible with decent work, and a threat to equal opportunities and to safe, healthy, and productive working environments."

At the press breifing announcement of the ILO Conventions on 10 February 2023, Hon. Rosso said “The government of Papua New Guinea is focused on a growth trajectory and has pursued several principle policies, in an evolving world of work, it is essential that the international labour standards cannot be overlooked. "Whilst there is much to realize and learn from other economies, more specifically and in recent times, governments all over the world have focused their attention on revitalizing labour administration.” 

The Secretary for Labour and Industrial Relations, Mr George Taunakekei said there are colonial laws that need to be reviewed. “We have prioritized some of those labour laws for review this year. The review work is ongoing and we are trying to modernize the labour laws so that they reflect the current social and economic climate of the department and with the ratification of the dialogue Conventions, it’s an opportune time as well to make sure that those reviewed laws are consistent with international standards as communicated through those Conventions.”

The Director for the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, Mr Martin Karimli said, “ILO stands ready to support the government, employers' and workers’ organizations to ensure the effective implementation of these Conventions and supporting Recommendations.” This also applies to the labour law reforms mentioned by Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and we had a very productive discussion with the secretary and his team on how we can support the government in implementation and reviewing of these laws. "A big congratulations to the Government of PNG and our social partners on this special achievement."

ILO Conventions are international treaties creating obligations under international law for countries that ratify them. The ILO supervisory machinery seeks to ensure that ratifying Member States put the provisions of the Conventions in effect, both in law and practice. For that purpose, it relies in large part on the reports on ratified Conventions that must be periodically submitted by governments. Employers’ and workers’ organizations have the opportunity to provide information and express their views.